Bill Text: VA HJR1136 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Korean Independence Movement.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-2)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-22 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ1136ER) [HJR1136 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR1136-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the nation of Korea was occupied by the Empire of Japan from 1910 to 1945; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 1919, a series of demonstrations took place across Korea with over a million people taking to the streets to read their Declaration of Independence from the Japanese occupation; and
WHEREAS, the reprisals against demonstrators were swift, with more than 7,000 people killed and 16,000 wounded by Japanese soldiers and police, and more than 45,000 people arrested; and
WHEREAS, the Korean Independence Movement, also known as the March First or "Sam Il Jeol" Movement, was one of the earliest and most public displays of resistance against the Japanese annexation and colonial rule of Korea; and
WHEREAS, the Korean Independence Movement ultimately resulted in the formation of a Korean provisional government in exile; many of the legal traditions of the modern-day Republic of Korea are traced back to the provisional government, including the nation's commitment to peace, human rights, and a free and equal democracy; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Republic of Korea will commemorate the historic centennial anniversary of the Korean Independence Movement by laying a foundation for an exchange program with North Korea based on the two nations' shared history during the movement; and
WHEREAS, the joint commemoration of the Korean Independence Movement between the two nations represents a symbol of reconciliation, unity, and peace for the future; and
WHEREAS, the nearly two million Korean Americans make countless contributions to life in the United States and the Commonwealth as leaders in a variety of professions and as engaged members of society; the robust Korean American community in the Commonwealth will mark the centennial anniversary of the Korean Independence Movement through many special events; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby recognize and commend the Korean Independence Movement on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its occurrence; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the historical significance of the Korean Independence Movement.
